Physics Special Topics

P4_6 A Good Hose Down

David Starkey, James Nelms, Declan Roberts, Suzanne Thomas

Abstract

This paper investigates the maximum pressure of a fire hydrant that a human can withstand before losing control due to the impulse at the hose aperture. The effects of static friction and the maximum grip force are compared, and it is found that at a hydrant pressure of 131KPa, a human will lose grip of the hose, whereas a pressure of 140KPa is required to cause the handler of the hose to begin to slide backwards.